10 Delightful European Summer Whites For Dining Al Fresco And Picnics

The summer of 2018 has given us plenty of opportunities to perfect our outdoor dining practices and skills. Wines light in alcohol and with high acidity are preferred for their refreshing qualities and versatility with al fresco dining and picnics.

Here are a few European white wines from France, Portugal, Austria and Hungary that enjoy being invited to the great outdoors:

Muscadet

Muscadet is an ultra-dry French white wine with a subtle stony character from the Melon Blanc, aka Melon de Bourgogne grape variety. From France’s most northerly vineyards the nearby fishing port of Nantes gives a clue to the dishes it prefers. The cooling Atlantic accounts for the lower alcohol levels, rarely more that 12pc and light-bodied with crisp acidity for added refreshment.

Picpoul de Pinet

Picpoul de Pinet exemplifies the impressive and inspiring quality of wines from the rapidly evolving and re-invented Languedoc, the largest wine region on the planet. Made with the Piquepoul grape, its modern crisp and cool style is of fresh grapefruit with a salty mineral character. Known as the Muscadet of the Mediterranean, Picpoul is excellent with shellfish but especially with salty and oily fish or salamis and cured hams.

Gascony/ Gascogne Region

Located in the south-west of France’s gastronomic region famous for its rich meats and patés, Well able to tackle the richness are Colombard and Ugni Blanc made as a crisp dry white wine to cleanse and refresh the taste buds from the local rich and savoury cuisine. In style, Colombard can be like a grassy Sauvignon Blanc. While Ugni Blanc plays a subservient role with its neutral character and mouth-watering acidity.

Vinho Verde

Portugal’s most northerly wine region, Vinho Verde means literally “green wine” referring to a wine best enjoyed very young. Typically, light-bodied with lower levels of alcohol around 11pc and sometimes with a little spritz from CO2 added before bottling for increased lively freshness.

Made from a blend of grapes, most notably Alvarinho, Portugal’s finest white grape. (Also grown across the border in Spain as Albariño.) Famed for its refreshing lemony acidity and giving structure to the wines. While Loureiro is the most aromatic of the Vinho Verde’s white varieties with its musky-grapey perfume, flowers and mineral. – making it the ideal picnic wine.

Grüner Veltliner

While Austria has thirty-five different grape varieties, its native, Grüner Veltliner accounts for a half of all white wine produced. In style it is like a cross between a crisper version of Pinot Grigio and a less grassy Sauvignon Blanc. Typically, it is dry with green apple fruit, spicy white pepper, moderate alcohol around 12.5pc and its trademark very crisp acidity. Loved smoked, herbal or spicy dishes.

Furmint

Hungary’s principal grape for white wine is Furmint. Traditionally, Furmint was used to make sweet wines because of its magnificent counter-balancing acidity levels. Although the demand for dry wines grew in the nineties, it took a delayed decade until the noughties before Furmint’s potential to produce fire and brimstone dry whites was realised.

TASTING TIME

Muscadet Sevre et Maine, Sur Lie 2017, Loire, France

12% ABV

€7.99 – Available at 132 ALDI stores nationwide as part of their exquisite collection

Fragrant with milky mint sweets. Delicious, smooth and flavoursome. Creamy texture and very light-bodied but with depth of character.

Food friend: Perfect with fingers of cheesy quiche.

Tokaji Furmint 2013, Mád, Hungary

13.5% ABV

€16.95 (reduced from €19.95 from August and until stocks last) at Whelehans Wines, Loughlinstown
Distinct mineral aromas. Very forward acidity and matching citrusy pith and zest. The tasty salty finish echoes an expression of the vineyard.

Food friend: Party with smoked salmon wrapped around asparagus spears.

A local duet of Colombard and Ugni Blanc. Intense perfume of freshly mown lawn and herbs. Lip-smacking tangy with the key gooseberry fruit married to lemony zest. Very light-bodied and a perfect picnic wine.

Oily texture with a spicy and citrus peel palate and well-integrated acidity. Focused in a delicate and understated way.

Food friend: Try with spicy chicken wings and sweet corn fritters.

FEATURE BY LIAM CAMPBELL

Liam Campbell is one of Ireland’s most experienced wine writers. His work has been featured in the pages of numerous publications, most recently as the Wine & Drinks Editor for The Irish Independent, as well as in Irish Homes, Easy Food and The Dubliner magazines.

Besides writing, his involvement in the world of wine goes deeper: he’s an approved WSET educator and holder of a WSET Diploma, Diploma in Craft Beer & Cider, and he has worked as judge in international wine competitions and as a wine consultant.